Dzagoev, 21, said: “I’ve heard that Fiorentina want me to come to Italy but this is the first time I’ve heard of interest from Arsenal.”

Fabregas could move before the weekend and, with Samir Nasri also expected to leave for Manchester City, Dzagoev would help fill the void left by two of Arsenal’s most important players last season. He has one year left on his CSKA contract.

Arsenal midfielder Andrey Arshavin has rubbished claims that he will follow Yuri Zhirkov back to Russia.

Zhirkov has just left Chelsea for big-spending Anzhi Makhachkala.

But Arshavin, 30, said: “This season I will be at Arsenal.

“I’ve always said that I’m playing where I want – in a top European club.”